JOSE Mourinho knows he faces a tough job keeping both Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea when he finally decides which will be the club’s number one goalkeeper.

On Friday, Mourinho described the pair as two of the best three goalkeepers in the world and revealed he has yet to announce his line-up for the opening Premier League game at newly-promoted Burnley.

Cech, 32, has been the established first choice for the last 10 years but finds himself under pressure from Courtois, 22, who is back at Stamford Bridge after spending the last three years on loan at Atletico Madrid.

Mourinho accepts it will be hard to keep both players happy throughout the campaign — and both have been linked with moves away if they miss out on the top job.

The Chelsea manager insists the club has yet to receive an approach for Cech or Courtois but accepts that situation could change.

Thibaut Courtois has emerged as a challenger to Petr Cech’s 10-year rein at Chelsea.Source:AFP

But he said: “I’m working with them and I told them as a group today, everyone of my players in the squad I’m happy to have them.

“I’m not waiting for anything. It’s not good to analyse something that isn’t on the table. Every manager in the world would like to have Courtois and Cech.”

And referring to the possibility there could be more comings and going during the final weeks of the transfer market, Mourinho said: “The market is open and experience says we never can say what will happen.”

The manager is pleased, though, to be confronted with the problem of choosing between two top ‘keepers.

“I can understand for top goalkeepers that could play in every club in the world, in here, one of them is going to be on the bench. It’s a difficult situation.

Petr Cech at a preseason match between Werder Bremen and Chelsea in Bremen, Germany.Source:AP

“The best way for me to work is to think pragmatically, in a cold way, forget a little bit, try to hide the emotions around these situations and decide what I think is the best for the team.”

Mourinho played down his side’s chances of being crowned champions throughout last season following his return to the club.

This time around he is more confident, having recruited Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba and Filipe Luis.

But the manager refused to install Chelsea as favourites, insisting the club’s main challengers have also strengthened well.

“I have to respect this competition. It is one of the country championships, the only one, which has more than two title contenders.”